Filling valve apparatus

ABSTRACT

A filling valve assembly (10) is provided for use in filling containers (50) with a carbonated liquid or other type of liquid. The assembly (10) includes a housing (11) having a filling orifice (40) for allowing liquid to flow therethrough. A valve element (13) is located within and movable through the housing (11) and includes a valve seal (36) movable against the housing (11) for selectively opening and closing the filling passage (40). A capillary screen (38) is connected above the valve seal (36) and is moveable therewith. The orifice (40) is aerodynamically shaped and has an annular enlarged portion (72) smoothly feeding into a narrowed venturi area (76) to continually compress the liquid, and then into an expanded area (70) to the walls of the container (50). A container seal (110) forms part of the expanded area (70) to enhance the laminar flow.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a divisional of U.S. Ser. No. 380,880, filed July 20, 1989.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to the field of filling containers such asbottles and cans with carbonated liquids, and more particularly to animproved filling valve for use in machinery for filling such containers.

BACKGROUND ART

Automatic machinery is used in modern bottling facilities for fillingcontainers with gaseous liquids containing carbon dioxide and similarcarbonations under counter-pressure which enables predeterminedquantities of liquid to be delivered into the containers. This machinerycomprises mechanisms for handling the containers in which the emptycontainers are raised until the neck engages the filling device in orderto receive a predetermined volume of liquid at which time the containersare lowered and directed toward the capping machine. The fillingmachinery includes a reservoir containing a liquid which flows under theeffect of gravity. The gas above the liquid maintains the carbon dioxidein the liquid and is used to charge the container. A filling valve islocated in the reservoir and extends through the tank. The valveconnects the reservoir with the empty container and opens to allow thecontainer to be filled with liquid.

When the container is engaged in the filling device, the gas valve fillsthe container with a counter pressure gas. The bottle is then filledwith liquid by opening the filling valve. During filling, the gascontained in the container is evacuated through a vent tube towards agas chamber in the tank. As soon as the level of liquid in the containerreaches the aperture of the vent tube, the gas, which is located in theneck of the container, can no longer escape and the flow is stopped. Theliquid and gas valves are then closed. A snifter is operated to releasethe remaining pressure in the container.

The valves are generally controlled by synchronized cams actuating sothat the gas is first admitted to the container, filling the containeragainst counter-pressurizing gas until the pressure of the gas and theliquid are equal. A second valve is then opened allowing the liquid toflow into the container under the influence of gravity and under apressure head. When the container is filled, the cam actuator closes thevalve and the container is lowered for capping. The pressure in the neckof the container may be controllably released by a snifter valve and thecontainer quickly capped and crowned.

One prior art filling valve used with a carbonated liquid bottlingmachine is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,089,353 to Antonelli in which afilling valve is shown which connects a container to be filled with atank containing supply of liquid with which the container is to befilled and pressurized gas. In the Meyer U.S. Pat. No. 3 3,500,879 acounter pressure type filler valve for introducing liquids intocontainers from a is provided with a swirl inducing member. Anothertypical control valve for filling containers with liquid under gaseouspressure from a reservoir is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,385,327 toGranier. The Fernades U.S. Pat. No. 4,086,943 shows a valve for fillingcontainers with pressurized drinks. This patent is a typical backpressure filling valve for containers and provides an auxiliary passagefor air and gas and a frustocontical check valve for an elastimericmaterial to control the passage therethrough. The Dichiara U.S. Pat. No.4,349,055 is for a filling valve for beverage container filling machinesand is a cam operated valve having a screen filter mounted therein alongwith an auxiliary opening for the feeding of the liquid therethrough.The Kaiser U.S. Pat. No. 3,633,635 is for a filling element for counterpressure filling machines and includes a vessel or container for liquidand gas positioned beside the valve. The Yun U.S. Pat. No. 4,442,873discloses a liquid filling valve for filling containers with carbonatedliquid which has concentric valves for introduction of counter-pressuregas and liquid into the container.

The problem with these types of assemblies is that sharp angles andcomponent obstructions create turbulence which separates and releasesabsorbed gas from the liquid and therefore foam in the bottle. Theposition of the screen in the high pressure area also producesadditional foaming. Additionally, the screen position further restrictsthe flow.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES

the invention is a filling valve apparatus for use in filling containerwith a carbonated liquid comprising housing means having an orifice forallowing liquid to flow therethrough and including an inlet for allowingliquid to flow into the housing means and the orifice, an outlet toallow liquid to flow out of the housing means and said orifice, andhaving a valve seat between the inlet and the outlet. Also included isvalve means moveable within the orifice between the inlet and the outletand including sealing means moving against the valve seat for preventingthe liquid from flowing through the orifice to the outlet and movingaway from the valve seat for allowing liquid to flow through the orificeto the outlet. The assembly is characterized by including capillaryscreen means connected to the valve means at a position between theinlet and said sealing means.

The invention also includes the housing means comprising a cylindricalportion with an inner surface establishing a vertical cylinder havingapertures establishing the inlet, a valve portion connected to thecylindrical portion with an inner surface bowing outwardly from thecylinder, a venturi portion connected to the valve portion having aninner surface funneling inwardly, and an expansion portion connected tothe venturi portion with an inner surface flaring outwardly to a baseportion establishing a horizontal shoulder for receiving a containerwherein the liquid flowing along expansion portion is directed to theinside surface of the container. Valve means extends through the housingmeans wherein liquid flows along the inner surfaces between the housingmeans and the valve means. The valve means includes sealing means formoving between an open and closed position and having and externalcontour substantially complementing the inner surface of the valveportion such that the liquid flowing therethrough is compressed betweenthe cylindrical portion and valve portion and the venturi portion.

The invention also provides the valve means comprising a valve stemhaving a passageway therethrough and extending through the orifice ofthe housing means and having a first end allowing gas to enter thepassageway and a second end connected to the sealing means, and theassembly characterized by including cap means having a cylindricalsleeve for receiving the first end of the valve stem and having anannular shoulder for receiving and securing variable machininginterfaces thereto.

A shortened distance in the orifice for the frame of fluid combine withthe removal of any obstructions such as springs and screens combine toincrease the flow speed with out undue foam. The screen being above thevalve in the low-pressure area allows for little turbulence.Furthermore, the aerodynamic shape of the inside of the housing providesfor a decrease in turbulence which prevent foaming. Additionally, thecap member may receive various types of actuating mechanisms, such ascam or lever actuators.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated asthe same becomes better understood by reference to the followingdetailed description when considered in connection with the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the subject inventionin the closed position;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the subject invention in the openand filling position;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a valve in accordance withFIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the capmember in the open position;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken along lines 5--5 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 6--6 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 7--7 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 8--8 of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A filling valve assembly for filling containers with a liquid isgenerally shown at 10 in FIGS. 1 and 2. Generally, filling machinesutilizing such assembly 10 may be provided with a moveable filling tablehaving a plurality of vertically moveable container supports which arespaced about the circumference of the table and adapted to receivecontainers such as bottles, cans or the like. The supports raise thecontainers into sealing engagement with the valve assembly 10 where thecontainers 50 are filled with a carbonated liquid, and thereafterlowered and removed from the platforms.

The filling machines are provided with a filling reservoir 42. Thereservoir 42 is supplied with a carbonated liquid which may be apre-mixed liquid comprising syrup, fruit pulp, or the like. Thecarbonated liquid is supplied to the reservoir 42 through connections asare commonly known in the art. One filling valve assembly 10 is invertical alignment with each container 50. A body of gas or air at asuitable pressure, such as 40 psi, is supplied to the upper portion ofthe filling valve assembly 10 and reservoir 42; the pressure of the gasor air is maintained at a desired pressure as commonly known in the art.

The filling valve 10 includes a generally cylindrical housing 11 havinga passage 40 therethrough. An upper valve stem guide 12 is slideablymounted within the passage 40 of the housing 11 and has an aperture 14therethrough. The upper valve stem guide 12 is generally cylindrical inshape. A fluid valve stem 13 having a gas passageway 29 therethrough isslidingly retained within the aperture 14 in the valve stem guide 12providing liquid flow area between the housing 11 and valve stem 13. Alower valve stem guide 15 has an aperture 16 therein for receiving thevalve stem 13 in sliding connection therewith. The lower valve stemguide 15 comprises a cylindrical sleeve portion 44 adjacent the valvestem 13 providing the aperture 16 and including radially extendingspokes 46 connected to the housing 11. The lower valve stem guide 15 isformed as an integral part of the housing 11. The housing 11 includeslongitudinally extending side openings 48 extending adjacent the spokes46 and extending longitudinally downwardly therefrom to allow the liquidto flow into the passage 40.

A lower coiled spring 17 is supported in the housing 11 between theupper and lower valve stem guides 12 and 15. The coiled spring 17 is acompression spring to bias the lower guide 15 away from the upper guide12 and downwardly along the valve stem 13. The lower valve stem guide 15provides a shoulder at the upper surface of the radial spokes 46 forreceiving the first end of the coiled spring 17, while the upper valvestem guide 12 provides the upper radial groove 52 for receiving thesecond end of the coiled spring 17. A retainer 20 is provided to lockthe valve stem 13 to the upper valve stem guide 12 so that the uppervalve stem guide 12 slides with the valve stem 13 whenever it is drivenby a cam C against a cam follower 21 as subsequently described. Thevalve stem 13 provides a groove 54 for receiving the retainer means 20,which is generally a washer, and the upper valve stem guide 12 providesa recess 56 for receiving the washer 20.

A cap member 22 is supported at the upper end of the valve stem 13 forsupporting the cam follower 21. The cap member 22 includes an extendingsleeve 26 extending adjacent the upper portion of the stem 13, andincludes gas escape apertures 28 near the upper edge of the sleeve 26and the valve stem 13. The apertures 28 are spaced circumferentiallyabout the sleeve 26. A charging cap 24 is retained within the cap member22 adjacent the upper edge of the valve stem 13 in its closed position.The charging cap 24 provides an upper shoulder 64 and the cap member 22provides inwardly extending flanges 66 for engagement within theshoulders 64 of the charging cap 24 for retainment therebetween. Thevalve stem 13 is slideably retained within the sleeve 26 to a positionadjacent the charging cap 24 to close the gas apertures and thereforprevent the supply of gas through the valve stem 13 and to a lowerposition to allow gas to flow into the apertures 28 above the upper edgeof the valve stem 13. The cap member 22 is able to be snapped intoengagement with the charging cap 24 and the valve stem 13 slid therein.

Also included is an upper coiled spring 23 extending between the housing11 and the cap member 22. The upper coiled spring 23 is a compressionspring which operates to bias the cap member 22 to follow the cam Cmovement and open and close the gas apertures 28.

The housing 11 includes an outwardly extending, circumferential flange19 for receiving the lower end of the upper spring 23. The upper coiledspring 23 is bowed from a smaller diameter received by the cap member 22adjacent the valve stem 13 to a larger diameter received on the flange19 providing clearance between the diameter changes. Only one half ofthe upper spring 23 is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. As an alternativeembodiment as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an annular bracket 58 (only aportion of which is shown) may be included to be supported on the flange19 and extending upwardly along the housing and inwardly to a sleeveadjacent the valve stem 13 inside the spring 23'. The spring 23' in thisembodiment is a coiled spring of uniform diameter. A second alternativeembodiment is utilized particularly in the lever actuated system and isshown in FIG. 4, as subsequently described, and includes the uppercoiled spring 23" bowed outwardly with uniform end diameters; the endsare received and retained by a radial notch 60 in the cap sleeve 26' anda radial notch 62 (best shown in FIG. 2) in the valve stem 13.

The upper valve stem guide 12 further includes a radially extendingridge 68 at its upper end to move against the upper edge 30 of thehousing 11 preventing further downward movement of the upper valve stemguide 12 and valve stem 13 into the housing 11. When a cam C pushesagainst the cam follower 21, the valve stem 13 slides until the ridge 68of the valve stem guide 12 abuts against the edge 30 of the housing 11as shown in FIG. 1. The valve stem 13 is spring biased by the uppercoiled spring 23 to return as the cam moves against the follower 21allowing the valve stem guide 12 to slide out of the housing 11. Thevalve stem 13 provides a lower annular stop 31, and the lower stem guide15 provides a stop 32 at its lower edge. As the cam follower 2 movesupwardly, the valve stem 13 and upper guide 12 slide out of the housing11 until the valve stem annular stop 31 abuts against the lower stop 32.

The valve stem 13 includes a valve head 34 having an annular, outwardlycurved and bowed portion forming a sloping, substantially symmetricalflange. The head 34 has an annular groove 35 formed therein at the outerdiameter for supporting a resilient valve seal 36. The resilient valveseal 36 is radially extending outwardly from the groove 35 and may bemade of rubber or other soft non-porous material. A second annulargroove 37 is provided to receive a capillary screen 38 therein at aposition above the valve element 36 along the sloping portion of thevalve stem 13. The capillary screen 38 extends outwardly and radiallyfrom the stem 13 and has a downwardly curved radial edge. The screen 38extends outwardly a distance to contact the inside surface of thehousing 11 when in the open position, and provide slight distancebetween the edge and inside surface when moving to and in the closedposition.

The housing 11 provides the side openings 48 of elongated shape forallowing the liquid to enter from the reservoir 42 therethrough belowthe coil spring 17 and spokes 46. The fluid is blocked by the valve seal36 seated in a valve seat 43, as shown in FIG. 1. The valve seal 36 isopen in FIG. 2 to allow the fluid to proceed to outlet 70.

The area through the housing 11 through which the liquid flows forms ashaped orifice including an enlarged chamber or valve portion 72 havingannular arcuate walls 74 in which the screen 38 and valve seal 36 aresituated forming the enlarged area and a second curved portion curvinginto a venturi portion 76 formed just below the valve seat 43, which hasa continuous smooth flow into a continuous expansion orifice portion oroutlet 70 and into a container 50.

The housing means 11 includes inner surfaces forming the passage 40therethrough. The housing 11 includes the inlet or side opening 48 forallowing liquid to flow into the housing 11 and an outlet or theexpansion orifice 70 to allow the liquid to flow out of the housing andliquid passage 40. The housing 11 includes a cylindrical portion 80 afirst flow area wherein the inner surface 82 provides a verticalcylinder having a smooth surface with openings for the inlet 48. Thecylindrical portion 80 is adjacent and below the spokes 46. Thecylindrical portion 80 is connected to the valve portion or enlargedchamber 72 of a second flow area with the inner surface 74 bowingoutwardly from the cylindrical portion and bowing inwardly providing thevalve seat 43 to the venturi portion 76. The valve portion 72 containsthe enlarged head 34 and seal 36 and screen 38. The screen 38 contactsthe upper area of the enlarged chamber 72 in the open position, and isnear the center of the enlarged chamber 72 in the closed position.

The valve portion 72 is connected to the venturi portion 76 of a thirdflow area having the inner surface 78 funneling inwardly a conicalportion comprising the expansion orifice 70. The conical portion 70starts at the third flow area and expands therefrom. The conical portionis connected to the venturi portion 76, with the inner surface 84flaring outwardly to a base portion 86. The base portion 86 establishesa horizontal shoulder for receiving the container 50 wherein the liquidflowing along the conical portion 70 is directed to the inside surfaceof the neck of the container 50, rather than flowing to the upper edgeof the container 50 causing turbulence.

The valve stem 13 extends through the housing 11 wherein the liquidflows along the inner surface, between the housing 11 and the valve stem13. The above described flow areas are taken between the housing 11 andthe valve stem 13 including the structural protrusions therefrom. Thevalve stem 13 and spokes 46 are in contact and abutting in the openvalve position providing a smooth surface therealong for the flow ofliquid. The valve stem 13 includes the valve seal 36 for moving betweenan open and closed position. The valve head 33 and valve seal 36 providean external contour substantially similar to and complementing thecontour of the inner surface 74 of the valve portion 72 or enlargedportion to maintain a constant flow area through the valve portion 72.The effective area of the various portions through which the liquidflows decreases between the cylindrical portion 80 and the valve portion72, and the venturi portion 76. The purpose of the curved aerodynamicsurfaces and housing 11 prevents any agitation and turbulence of theliquid and therefore prevents foaming at the outlet. Furthermore, bydecreasing the flow area until reaching the outlet, the pressure isincreased which prevents foaming by not allowing the carbonated liquidand gas therein to expand causing foaming. The lower valve portion 72and venturi portion 76 and outlet 70 are formed by the adjustablecontainer seal 51, as subsequently described. By continually decreasingthe flow area, the liquid is continually compressed so the gas may notexpand therein prior to flowing into the container 50 which would causeadditional foaming. Furthermore, the liquid may flow through the housing11 without any obstructions, along the smooth, aerodynamic walls orsurfaces to preserve the capillary action of the fluid.

The valve stem 13 includes at the head 34 a threaded bore 88 forreceiving a vent tube 90 having threads 92 to be received within thevalve head 33, and includes an annular resilient seal 94 therein forsealing the vent tube 90 to the stem 13. The vent tube 90 is effectivelyan extension of the valve stem 13. The vent tube 90 has an open bottom96 and a pair of side apertures 98. The vent tube 90 also has an annularliquid spreading member 102 positioned below the venturi portion 76 andthe spreading area 70 formed by the inner surface 84 of the expansionorifice to spread the liquid in the neck of the container 50. When theliquid filling the container 50 raises to cover the side apertures 58,the gas pressure is cut off which stops the flow of liquid into thecontainer 50 preventing further filling thereof.

A container seal 110 may be a resilient rubber member and includes thecurved area or expansion orifice 70 and fits into an annular groovedarea 104 in a snifter 108, as subsequently discussed. A cone shaped end106 guides the container top 50 into place.

The snifter 108 is mounted to one side of the valve 10 and has an insert112 with a small bore 114. This insert is changeable to change the sizeof the aperture therethrough to match the valve and bottle seal 110 andvaries the snift speeds in accordance with the opening therethrough. Thesnifter 108 includes a chamber 116 having a coil spring 118. A button120 has an O-ring seal 122 in a grooved area 124 and an annular ledge126 for supporting the coil springs 118. The seal 122 acts as a valveelement against a valve seat area while the bore 114 connects into theventuri area 76 of the orifice of the valve 10. An O-ring seals 130 and132 seal valve 10 in place so that the liquid leak therethrough. Thesnifter 108 provides a housing, which forms the inner surface 75 of thelower valve portion, and venturi portion 76. The bottle seal 51 formsthe expansion orifice or conical portion 20.

The short distance between the feeding of the fluid through the opening48 and into the container 50 along with the aerodynamic shape of thefeeding orifice provide a faster fill for the bottles and this isfurther enhanced by a capillary action and columnar effect of the fluid.

The valve assembly 10 may be operated by a cam or lever. The chargingcap 24 provides the shoulders 64 for receiving the first alternative capmember 22. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the cap member 22 is for receivinga cam follower 21 thereon to be operated by a cam C. Alternatively, asillustrated in FIG. 4, the cap member 22' for a lever actuator isgenerally spool shaped for receiving a lever L about the stem of thespool. In either cap member embodiment 22, 22', the charging cap 24 iscommon. Furthermore, both cap retainer embodiments 22, 22' include thesleeve 26, 26, as hereinbefore described. However, the lever actuatedcap member 22' utilizes the symmetrical bowed spring 23", and the camactuated retainer 21 may utilize either the cone-shaped spring 23 or thecylindrical spring 23'.

In operation, a cam C or lever L operates against the cam follower 21 orlever member 22' to drive the valve stem 13 downward against the coiledsprings 23 and 17 until the upper valve stem guide 12 hits the stop 30and the cam reaches the bottom of its drive. The valve element 36 ispressed against the valve seat 43. The upper spring 23 holds the camfollower 21 tightly against the cam at all times. The container 50 isthen pushed into place in the bottle sealing rubber 51, with the stem 14and the vent tube 90 pushed into the container 50.

The cam C or lever L is operated to move the cap member 22, 22' upwardlyto positively open and place the inside of the container 50 in opencommunication with the superposed body of gas in the reservoir 42. Gaswill quickly flow into the container 50, filling the same to a pressuresubstantially equal with the pressure of gas in the reservoir 42.

During this filling operation, the stem 13 and the vent tube 90 areretracted slightly to open the valve by pulling the valve element 36 offthe valve seat 43 as shown in FIG. 2 to allow the carbonated liquid topass through the opening 48 into the enlarged valve chamber 72 throughthe capillary screen 38 which is curved to fit against the upper curvedarea of the enlarged chamber 72. The enlarged area 72 of the orifice hasa lower pressure, a lower velocity and feeds the carbonated liquidtherethrough. The liquid passes through the venturi portion 76 where thevelocity is substantially increased with a rise in pressure and as itpasses the venturi area 76 it passes between the spreading member 60 andthe expanding walls 84 and is fed into the container 50.

The short distance between the feeding of the fluid through the opening48 and into the container 50 along with the aerodynamic shape of thefeeding orifice without obstructions, such as springs and screens,provide a faster fill for the bottles. This is further enhanced by thecapillary screen 38 being positioned above the valve seat in an enlargedarea rather than below the valve element or below the venturi. Thecontainer seal 51 form part of the expansion of the venturi 76 andprovides a smooth continuous laminar flow or capillary action of theliquid through the valve into the bottle to thereby reduce foam andallow more rapid filling of the bottles. The snifter 108 has also hadthe aperture enlarged and it interchangeable with different sizeapertures to also prevent foam for an adjusted filling speed. The valveseat 43 is also formed as part of the aerodynamic shape in an enlargedarea 72 over the venturi 76. The pressure changes as the liquid passesthrough the venturi 76 and is rapidly dispensed into the container 50 bythe liquid spreading member 102. The container 50 is filled, until thepressure is counter-balanced to indicate a full container 50.

The screen 38 automatically stops the flow of liquid into the container50 when the pressure of the gas in the head of the container 50 isbalanced with the pressure of the liquid above the screen 38. Thenatural surface tension of the liquid on the screen 38 will preventfurther liquid from flowing into the container 50, thereby maintainingthe fill height of each container 50 substantially equal. When theliquid flowing into the container 50 fills up past the aperture 98,there is no where for the gas in the head space of the container 50 toescape and consequently the pressure of the gas in the head space willbuild up as liquid flows into the container until it is substantiallyequal to the pressure of the liquid flowing through the screen 38 andliquid passage. At this instant, the liquid flow into the container 50will stop. The mesh of the screen 38 depends upon the viscosity andsurface tension of the liquid. The screen 38 includes an annular,downwardly curved edge about its periphery. The curved edge isadvantageous when using pulp containing liquids to bring the pulp to theedge when the filling if stopped and the valve closed, so that the pulpis the first to flow out the valve assembly 10 during the next fillingoperation.

Once the container has been filled, the valve assembly 10 moves to aposition gas closing the apertures 28 and valve 36. The snift valve 108is then operated by a fixed cam (not shown) on the frame of the fillingvalve assembly 10 and places the head space of the container 50 in opencommunication with atmosphere. Any excess pressure in the head space ofthe container is released through the snifter 62 to atmosphere.

After the snift stage, the container 50 is lowered away from the fillingtable and conveyed to suitable container closing mechanism. The bottle50 is then moved on a conveyor quickly to a capping station where it iscapped.

The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is tobe understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to bein the nature of words of description rather than of limitation.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present inventionare possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to beunderstood that within the scope of the appended claims whereinreference numerals are merely for convenience and are not to be in anyway limiting, the invention may be practiced otherwise than asspecifically described.

What is claimed is:
 1. A filling valve assembly for filling containerswith a liquid, said assembly comprising:housing means (11) having apassage (40) and including an inlet (48) for allowing liquid to flowinto said housing and said passage (40) and an outlet (70) to allowliquid to flow out of said housing means (11) and said passage (40);said housing means (11) including cylindrical portion (80) with an innersurface (82) establishing a vertical cylinder having apertures (48)establishing said inlet (48), valve portion (72) connected to saidcylindrical portion (80) with an inner surface (74) bowing outwardlyfrom said cylinder, venturi portion (76) connected to said valve portion(72) having an inner surface (78) funneling inwardly, and expansionportion (70) connected to said venturi portion (76) with an innersurface (84) flaring outwardly to a base portion (86) establishing ahorizontal shoulder for receiving a container (50) wherein the liquidflowing along said expansion portion (70) is directed to the insidesurface of the container (50); valve means extending through saidhousing means (11) wherein liquid flows along said inner surfaces (74,78, 82, 84) between said housing means (11) and said valve means; saidvalve means including sealing means (36) for moving between an open andclosed position and having an external contour substantiallycomplementing said inner surface (74) of said valve portion (72) suchthat the liquid flowing therethrough is compressed between saidcylindrical portion (80) and said valve portion (72) and said venturiportion (76).
 2. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 furthercharacterized by said valve stem (13) including an enlarged portion (33)for supporting said sealing means (36), said sealing means (36) moveablewith said valve stem (13).
 3. An assembly as set forth in claim 2further characterized by including said valve means including a valvestem (13) extending through said housing means (11) and having apassageway (29) for allowing a gas to pass therethrough.
 4. An assemblyas set forth in claim 3 further characterized by including lower guidemeans (15) secured to said housing means (11) and providing a shoulder(46) and base stop (32), and including an aperture (16) for slideablyretaining said valve stem (13) therein.
 5. An assembly as set forth inclaim 4 further characterized by including upper guide means (12)slideably retained within said housing means (11) and connected to saidvalve stem (13) providing a lower shoulder (52) therein.
 6. An assemblyas set forth in claim 5 further characterized by including lower springmeans (17) supported between said shoulder (52) of said upper guidemeans (12) and said lower guide means (15) for biasing said upper guidemeans (12) away from said lower guide means (15).
 7. An assembly as setforth in claim 6 further characterized by cap means (22, 22') slideablyconnected to said valve stem (13) having gas apertures (28) therein forallowing gas to pass therethrough into said passageway (29) of saidvalve stem (13).
 8. An assembly as set forth in claim 7 furthercharacterized by including upper spring means (23) supported betweensaid cap means (22, 22') and said housing means (11) for biasing saidhousing means (11) away from said cap means (22).